Analog power computer

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for electronically determining a power value of fractional or integral type of a given mathematic magnitude represented by an electrical input quantum, including a number of integrators, comparator, and control circuitry, and two switching devices for selecting numerator and denominator figures of the desired power value. A reference voltage is applied to the first integrator, and the input quantum to the comparator. When the two switching devices are in their selected positions, and the respective voltages applied to the proper terminals, the desired power value will be produced at the output of the numerator switching device.

United stateS Patent 1 [111 3,894,212 Figueroa July 8, 1975 ANALOG POWER COMPUTER Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Ruggiero P k P [75] Inventor 2 R Flguema embro e mes Attorney, Agent, or FzrmS1lverman & Cass, Ltd.

[73] Assignee: Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeah, 57 ABSTRACT Apparatus for electronically determining a power [22] Filed: Mar. 11, 1974 value of fractional or integral type of a given mathematic magnitude represented by an electrical input [211 App! 449310 quantum, including a number of integrators, comparator, and control circuitry, and two switching devices [52] US. Cl. 235/1935; 235/183; 328/144 for selecting numerator and denominator figures of [5 l] Int. Cl G06g 7/20 the desired power value. [58] Field of Search 235/1935 A reference voltage is applied to the first integrator,

235/183; 328/144 and the input quantum to the comparator. [56] References Cited When the two switching dev1ces are 1n the r selected positlons, and the respectwe voltages applied to the UNITED STATES PATENTS proper terminals, the desired power value will be 3,043,516 7/1962 Abbott et al 235/193 X produced at the output of the numerator switching 3,383,501 5/1968 Patchell 235/183 x device. 3,521,046 7/1970 Tippetts.... 235/183 x 3,676,661 7/1972 Sprowl 235/1935 x 7 Clalms, 2 mg gu s COM PARATOR AND OUTPUT CONTROL PRIOR ART ESQ/2 7 VREE. RI

FIG. 1

371 COMPARATOR C(SNTROL 40 T0 25, 29,3I T0 26 3o 32 RESET START VIN 145- COMPARATOR AND CONTROL ANALOG POWER COMPUTER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The basic concept of electronically determining mathematic exponential values is dealt with in applicants US. Pat. No. 3,679,884 which describes apparatus and method for determining root values. To the extent that it might be necessary to understand fully the teachings of the invention herein, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,884 is incorporated by reference.

I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention herein is concerned with the problem of how to electronically determine exponential values of a given quantity.

In the prior art, and more specifically, from the above noted US. Pat. No. 3,679,884, apparatus and method are known for electronically determining mathematic root values of a given quantity. However, that patent does not deal specifically with apparatus and circuitry for determining power values in a simple, straightforward and 'efficient way.

It is-we'll known that power values and root values are mathematically related to one another.

The present invention has the object of providing circuitry and elements for electronically determining in a simple manner power values regardless of whether the values are of the integral or fractional type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is aimed at solving the problem of producing any power value of a given quantity by modifying the structure of the above noted patent through the provision of two special switching devices each having a number of contact terminals, equaling the number of integrators employed. The number of integrators equal the highest order of either numerator or the denominator of the desired power value.

One switch serves for setting thereon the numerator figures, the other switch serves the denominator figures. The terminals of both switching devices are connected in parallel to the outputs of the respective integrators. The numerator switch is coupled to receive the input quantum. The denominator switch is connected to the output of the apparatus, where the desired power value is obtainable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mathematical computer including circuitry and elements for determining root values, as disclosed in applicants noted prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,884;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computer of power values according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 being a reproduction of the drawing in the above noted US patent, represents a circuit which is particularly structured for determining cube root values.

It includes three integrators 21, 22 and 23 comprising resistors R R and R capacitors C C and C amplifiers 24, 27 and 28 as well as input switches 25, 29 and 31, and parallel switches 26, 30 and 32.

The circuit furthermore comprises a comparator 35, a summing junction including resistors 43, 44 and also a groundedresistor 45. Finally a control circuit 37 is provided for controlling the operations.

A reference voltage V is supplied to the first input terminal of switch 25, and a quantum input voltage V representing the mathematical magnitude to be cube rooted isapplied to the summing junction.

The theory, mathematical derivations and operations of the circuit of FIG. 1 are described in detail in the above mentioned patent and do not have to be repeated here. I Y I The present invention provides circuitry and elements for determining any desired power value of integral or fractional type of any given mathematic magni- I tude.

The computer of the instant invention is, just as in the case of the prior patent. based on the use of a plurality of integrators. The integrators are indicated, by way of example, by four amplifiers 101, 102, 103 and 104. Also, comparator and control circuits are provided which are arranged in a manner identical'to'the circuit in FIG. 1. V g

The number of integrators shown in FIG. '2 have been chosen to be four for convenient illustration, butany other number of integrators may be employed.

The outputs of the amplifiers 101, 102, 103 and 104 are led over lines 109, 110, 111 and 112 to contact terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively of a switching device 116 which is also designated by the letter N.

The outputs of the amplifiers 101, 102, 103 and 104 are also led through nodes 105, 106, 107 and 108, i.e. in parallel to above connections 109 to 112 over lines 119, 120, 121 and 122 respectively to contact terminals -1', 2', 3 and 4', of a second switching device 126 which is also designated by the letter D.

An arm 131 is supported in the center 133 of the switching device 116 and capable of rotating and moving in sliding engagement over the contact terminals 1, 2, 3 or 4, making electric contact with any one of them.

A line 138 connects the center 133 of the switching device 116 with an output terminal 135.

Analogously, an arm 141 is supported in the center 143 of the switching device 126 and capable of rotating.

and moving in sliding engagement over the contact terminals 1', 2, 3' and 4, making contact with any one of them.

'The center of switch 126 is connected, in a fashion similar to that of FIG. 1, over a line 33 to a summing junction comprising a node 42 and resistors 43 and 44. The resistor 44 receives at a terminal 145 a voltage input quantum V,,,-, wherein V represents a mathematic magnitude which is to be raised to a certain power.

On the left side of the node 42, a block 35, 37 marked Comparator and Control" represents circuitry of identical structure and function as the comparator 35 and control block 37 in the circuit of FIG. 1.

It is to be noted that elements shown in FIG. 1, such as resistors R R R fcapacitors C C C input switches 25, 29, 31, parallel switches 26, 30 and 32, and the electrical connections therebetween are also present in the device of FIG. 2 cooperating with the amplifiers 101, 102, 103 and 104, but have been omitted in the drawing for the sake of clarity.

3 For the same reason, the comparator 35, control block 37, grounded resistor 45 and the connections therebetween as shown in FIG. 1, although presentin the device of FIG. 2, are only indicated by the block Comparator and Control 35, 37. I I

In operating the analog-power computer, the opera-' tor will apply the voltage reference to the terminal 100 and the input quantum to terminal '145. Assuming that it is desired, as an example, to determine the threehalves power of an input value V the operator will rotate the arm .141 of switch 126 or D,= .until it reaches the contact terminal 2'. He will then rotate the arm 131 of the switch 116 or N to the contact terminal 3. As a result of such combination the desired power value will be obtainable at the output terminal 135, namely V 3/2.

To use another example, assuming-it is desired to determine the four-thirds power ofa given value, after applying V to terminal 100 and the given value as input quantum V to terminal 145, all the operator has to do is to set the arm of switch 126 or D on contact terminal 3, and the arm of switch 116 or N on contact terminal 4. The result of V 4/3 will appear at the output terminal 135.

The last example may be used to illustrate the operation of the circuit in case where an integral power is desired, as contrasted to a fractional power value.

Supposing the fourth power of a given value is required. In accordance with the rules set forth hereinbefore, the D"-arm would be set on the contact terminal 1', and the N-arm on the contact terminal 4. The result of V will be available at the output terminal 135.

From the last example it will be readily noted that where only integral powers are desired, the D-arm would be set once and for all on contact 1, and only the N"-arm would be moved around contacts 2, or 3 or 4 depending upon whether the second, third or fourth power is desired.

It goes without saying that where higher power values are required, such as for instance the fifth, sixth or seventh, one or two or three more integrator sets would have to be added to the system. This has already been discussed in the above noted patent and does not have to be elaborated here any further.

It is believed that the foregoing adequately will enable those skilled in the art to appreciate and practice this invention and, if necessary, make modifications which would fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

What it is desired to be secured by United States Let- :ers Patent is: i

1. Electronic apparatus for automatically producing 1 desired power value of a mathematic magnitude repesented by a voltage input quantum, said apparatus :omprising:

A. a plurality of integrators connected in series to one another,

B. first selector switch means for selecting a position 1? ence voltage, V i L E. second terminal means coupled to the first selector switch means for receiving saidinput quantum,

F. third terminal means coupled to the second selector switch means toenable obtaining saidpower value thereat,

G. the number of integrators equaling the higher of the components of the power value, H. comparing means coupled to the first selector switch means for i a. comparing a voltage prevailing at the selected position of the first selector switch means with said input quantum, and

b. producing a characteristic output when said two compared voltages attain a predetermined relationship, I. control circuitmeans coupled to said -means, said control circuit-means constructed to receive said characteristic output and control the operations of the apparatus,-including start and reset means, I 1 wherein, upon the selector switch means beingninvthe selected positions, the reference voltage and the input quantum being at said first and second terminal means,.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the second selector switch means comprises:

a. a second contact arm b. a plurality of second contact terminals,

c. means associated with the second contact arm for I selectively establishing contact with any of the second contact terminals.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the third terminal means is electrically connected to the second contact arm of the second selector switch means.

5. Apparatus as set forth in'claim 1 in which the comparing means comprises an input summing junction including two resistors connected in parallel to an input of the comparing means coupled to receive the output from the first selector switch arm and the input quanturn.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the first contact terminals are positioned in a circular line, said contact establishing means at the first contact arm including means for rotating the first contact arm so as to move in sliding enagement over the first contact terminals to select the appropriate terminal.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which'the second contact terminals are positioned in a circular line,

. said contact establishing means at the second contact nal.

arm including means for rotating the second contact arm so as to move in sliding engagement over the second contact terminals. to select the appropriate termicomparing i 

1. Electronic apparatus for automatically producing a desired power value of a mathematic magnitude represented by a voltage input quantum, said apparatus comprising: A. a plurality of integrators connected in series to one another, B. first selector switch means for selecting a position related to the denominator of said power value, C. second selector switch means for selecting a position related to the numerator of said power value, D. first terminal means at the input side of the first of said plurality of integrators for receiving a reference voltage, E. second terminal means coupled to the first selector switch means for receiving said input quantum, F. third terminal means coupled to the second selector switch means to enable obtaining said power value thereat, G. the number of integrators equaling the higher of the components of the power value, H. comparing means coupled to the first selector switch means for a. comparing a voltage prevailing at the selected position of the first selector switch means with said input quantum, and b. producing a characteristic output when said two compared voltages attain a predetermined relationship, I. control circuit means coupled to said comparing means, said control circuit means constructed to receive said characteristic output and control the operations of the apparatus, including start and reset means, wherein, upon the selector switch means being in the selected positions, the reference voltage and the input quantum being at said first and second terminal means, said desired power value is obtainable at said third terminal means.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the first selector switch means comprises: a. a First contact arm, b. a plurality of first contact terminals, c. means associated with the first contact arm for selectively establishing contact with any of the first contact terminals.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the second selector switch means comprises: a. a second contact arm b. a plurality of second contact terminals, c. means associated with the second contact arm for selectively establishing contact with any of the second contact terminals.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the third terminal means is electrically connected to the second contact arm of the second selector switch means.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the comparing means comprises an input summing junction including two resistors connected in parallel to an input of the comparing means coupled to receive the output from the first selector switch arm and the input quantum.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the first contact terminals are positioned in a circular line, said contact establishing means at the first contact arm including means for rotating the first contact arm so as to move in sliding enagement over the first contact terminals to select the appropriate terminal.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the second contact terminals are positioned in a circular line, said contact establishing means at the second contact arm including means for rotating the second contact arm so as to move in sliding engagement over the second contact terminals to select the appropriate terminal. 